CBC balks at mainstream media criticism over digital ad revenue

Canada’s state broadcaster has published an op-ed, not signed by anyone in particular, going after those that disagree with their latest move to expand their mandate well beyond anything contemplated in the Broadcasting Act.

Whether it’s an opinion pages section on their website, on-line music streaming services, producing web-only comedies and dramas or offering a Netflix-style service in Quebec, even mainstream media progressives are beginning to speak up.

Watch as I explain how the CBC has responded to critics with a straw man argument that they can then tear down.

The CBC wants its critics to go away and never speak ill of them again.

Unfortunately, Trudeau’s Liberals are big CBC backers and it’s very unlikely they’ll turn around now and clip their wings after giving them even more taxpayer money.

But, perhaps with enough pressure from other progressives, like those at the Toronto Star and iPolitics, it just might happen.

If you haven’t already done so, remember to sign the petition at www.SellTheCBC, and spread it on line.

Comments

Steve Hicken commented
“I dont like the cbc either but , in a free society they also have the right to branch out . Maybe all you people out there in news and media land should have supported Mr Harper . Getting rid of all the crown corporations would have been next had he won the election. You want a free society then everyone benefits ! You dont get the luxury of picking and choosing who’s in your world.”

LOL, shite you nearly made me spill my morning cup of coffee!! You are a funny one!!

The CBC is not a private business/corp., OURTAXDOLLARS support that behemoth so WE HAVETHERIGHT to demand certain things (such as knowing who is paid what and why, to demand transparency) and yes that also gives us the right to criticize. It would be an entirely different case scenario if it were private and self-funding, but the CBC receives OVERONEBILLIONTAXDOLLARSYEARLY. Do you even comprehend what an astronomical amount of YEARLY funding that is?

It is way past due that the apron strings connected to the tax payer’s purse were cut, let CBC stand or sink on its own, no more funding period.

The CBC, or shall we say, the official lamestream media of the liberal party, is expanding precisely because of the nice raise they got from the tater tot. Pinching out their competition though might just be their downfall. The rest of the media are finally starting to take notice and could create a lot of bad publicity for them. They better get their safe spaces ready.

The CBC’s objectivity vanished decades ago wha we’re talking about now is their open partisan propagandizing – in that respect they are responsible for undermining democracy by misinforming the electorate and creating consensus – so soviet.

Now that they have some practice in the market place let them carry on without taxpayer money like everyone else. Who knows, it may force them to do more honest reporting, and they could sink or swim on its own merits.
As it stands now the CBC = Lugenpresse.

The thing about the CBC being able to sell local advertising, both on-line and in the traditional media, is that they can and do undercut the competition. CBC is able to do this because of the $1.5 B topped by $150M for $1.65B. Bell, Rogers, Post Media, TorStar, Rebel, etc just do not have this type of slush fund to compete for advertising dollars, even when they have the superior products.

Hence, they are paying taxes to the competition to undercut them. It is like ESSO paying Shell big bucks so that Shell can use those bucks to advertise against ESSO. No problem with CBC competing but if they want the private advertising dollar, then they should have to give up the tax dollar. Of course that will not happen since they are the political press organ of the Liberal Party of Corruption.

I dont like the cbc either but , in a free society they also have the right to branch out . Maybe all you people out there in news and media land should have supported Mr Harper . Getting rid of all the crown corporations would have been next had he won the election. You want a free society then everyone benefits ! You dont get the luxury of picking and choosing who’s in your world.